Hermione woke with a start, thrashing and screaming. Tangling in her blankets unable to wake up and tear her brain from the obscene torture it was receiving. Ron burst into the room wand drawn and panting. He ran all the way down the stairs when he heard Hermione. 

The fear of Harry vanishing from Grimwald Place left Harry's mind once he saw Hermione trashing around in distress. He ran over to her bed and began shaking her shoulder in desperate attempts to pull her out of the torture her mind was giving.

 "Hermione, wake up."  He called desperately when she wasn't calming down.

Her eyes flew open and she gasped. She threw herself into Ron's arms sobbing. Ron sat on the bed and pulled her up next to her. She kept crying while Ron soothed her.

"Shhhh. It was just a dream. I'm here."

"Oh Ron, it was horrible. It wasn't a dream. I was back in Malfoy Manor and she was leaning over me carving- into my- my arm. A- again. It was just her and me. No one else. So the chance of being saved. No chance at all. I couldn't fight. She smashed my wand. Oh, God!" Hermione cried burrowing her face deeper into Ron's chest as a new round of sobs came on.

Sobbing and hiccuping Hermione tried to calm herself. Ron just sat there. Holding her in his lap, rocking her back and forth. Back and forth. Stroking her hair and telling her to breathe. 

"It's okay, I'm here." He told her over and over again. "You're safe. I won't let anything happen to you. Ever. I will never let anyone hurt you again. I love you."

Hermione's sleeping figure didn't answer. But Ron smiled anyways. Wiping her tears away with his fingers Ron tucked her in and made sure she was comfortable.

He grabbed the door and as he was pulling it shut to leave Hermione's voice cried from within.

"Wait!" She called with a raspy voice.

"What what is it!" Ron called hurtling back into the room with his wand drawn.

"Can you stay with me tonight, please?" Hermione begged. Her face and eyes were vulnerable. Ron's heart sank to see her this upset. He walked over and cupped her cheek.

"Without a doubt, Hermione." 

Hermione stuffed over in the small twin bed to make room for Ron. Once he was settled Hermione had her head resting over his heart. Ron's arms were wrapped around her protectively.

_______________

Harry woke up and looked towards Ron's bed to find it empty. Sheets were strewn on the floor and leading towards the door.

 He yawned and started to pack his things. He didn't want to leave. But he didn't really have a choice. They were just gonna come back with more firepower if he didn't. Leaving now made it easier for all of them. 

Harry didn't have any fight left in him.

He walked downstairs leaving his bag in the entrance of the front hall. Harry dragged his feet toward the kitchen. He looked at the dust-covered furniture and sighed. 

He slowly pulled out the milk. Pulled down a box of cereal. And a bowl and a spoon. He ate a bowl of cereal staring at the empty hearth waiting for Ron and Hermione to come down. He chewed slowly and listening to the crunchy grain turn to mush against his teeth.  After what felt like ages Harry walked up to Hermione's room. He pressed his ear to the door and when he didn't hear anything He knocked on the door.

"I thought we were leaving." He called through the oak. 

"We are," Hermione replied sarcastically wrenching opening the door. "As soon as sleeping beauty here wakes up." Gesturing towards the snoring Ron. He had somehow managed to flop onto the floor and take all the blankets with him. 

"It's really quite easy." Harry smiled. Picking up Hermione's thick novel from the bedside table he looked at her.

"Watch." He mouthed.

Then he dropped the book a few inches from Ron's head.

"SHUBZGVUBGAA!!!!!" Ron cried jumping up and holding his arms up in defense.

"And good morning to you." Harry laughed.

"I hate you both," Ron mumbled glaring at Hermione and Harry who were both giggling madly. Picking up the book Ron placed in down on Hermione's bed and began haphazardly throwing the blankets and pillows back onto the bare sheets.

"Do me a favor and make the bed," Harry said walking out of the room.

"I hate him," Ron said to Hermione who was placing her few belongings in the small bag she had brought.

"I bet you do," Hemione replied tugging her jumper on. "Don't just stand there, make the bed. You were the one who ruined the sheets." She said gesturing at the pile blankets that were resting in a mound upon the mattress. 

"You two are so high maintenance!" Ron cried throwing his head back and dragging his feet.

"You're just a bundle of joy in the morning," Hermione smirked at him. 

Ron shot her a look and she backed away a few steps. "I'll go make us some food."

"There you go," Ron said turning back to the bed he had to make.

Hermione met Harry in the kitchen. She stopped him from stuffing the almost empty box back into the pantry and poured it into two bowls for Ron and herself.

Once the two had finished eating Hermione held out both of her hands.

"Hold on to your eyebrows." Then she apparated sucking all three of them out of the kitchen with a loud pop.

Landing on the soft grass behind the Burrow Harry turned towards Hermione. 

"That was not funny." He said pointing.

"Yes, it was," Hermione smirked shrugging.